Montana Educators: ‘Thrill’ to Be a Part of Item Review Process

Two educators from Cut Bank Public Schools in Montana reflected on their experience participating in a three-day Smarter Balanced item review conference this summer. Educators from all over the nation met to review items in math and English language arts.

In an article appearing in the Cut Bank Pioneer Press, Cut Bank Middle School Principal Gail Hofstad wrote about her experience reviewing 7th grade English language arts items. She wrote, “Trying to unpack a 7th grade question and reorganize it to make it easier to understand was quite the process.”

Teacher Pam Bauer said: “Participants were there from all over the United States and it was a thrill to be a part of this process. This is the first time this has been done and to be a part of the ground breaking progression is quite an honor.”

Hofstad said conference participants spent the last day in Smarter Balanced’s Digital Library, which is  “absolutely full of lesson plans and ideas (for teachers) for any content areas and any grade level that meet the Common Core State Standards.”